Deontay Wilder on course for 2014 world title – but which one?

The Bronze Bomber is due to face winner of Stiverne v Arreola for vacant WBC strap

While the talk of the boxing world this week is the news that Tyson Fury and Dereck Chisora will meet in Manchester later this year, American heavyweight Deontay Wilder has been making waves of his own.

The Bronze Bomber kept up his perfect record with a first round stoppage over fellow American Malik Scott and is now odds-on to land a world title.

While the Scott victory has been questioned – after King Malik looked to have gone to ground easily – Wilder’s record does not lie and 31 wins with 31 knockouts has put the 28-year-old in the conversation about who is the best in the heavyweight division.

Victory over Scott means that Wilder is scheduled to take on the winner of the forthcoming Bermane Stiverne and Chris Arreola meeting for the WBC title vacated by Vitali Klitschko earlier this year – and the American is priced at 1/4 to beat whoever wins.

However, the 2008 Olympic bronze medallist has hinted that he would turn his back on that bout for a chance to fight the winner of Fury v Chisora.

A win over either Brit would move the American into pole position to fight Wladimir Klitschko for the WBA, IBF, WBO, IBO and The Ring belts after promoter Frank Warren described the Fury v Chisora bout as a final eliminator to face Dr. Steelhammer.

It is unlikely that either Brit would risk their title shot to face the dangerous Wilder – even for an extra paycheque – but those backing the American to go all the way can get odds of 5/1 on him to beat Klitschko at any point in the future.

Wilder has not earned many plaudits for his style during his 31-fight career, but his punching power in undeniable, with 18 of his wins coming inside the first round.

And even as the standard of his opponents rises the Alabama man knows that knockouts are his best – if not only – chance of extending his unbeaten run.

The record for most consecutive knockout wins is currently held by Lamar Clarke at 44 and Wilder can be backed at odds of 6/1 to go one better.

However, it is a 1/12 shot that he fails to achieve that feat but those with long memories could be tempted to back the longer odds given the way Klitschko has lost in the past.

All three of the Ukrainian’s defeats – to Lamon Brewster, Corrie Sanders and Ross Purity – came inside the distance and as such, Wilder could be just the man to end the champion’s 10-year unbeaten reign at the top of the heavyweight division.

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After studying for a degree in journalism and gaining his NCTJ, James contributed to a wide range of papers, online publications and broadcasters including the South London Press, Press Association and Sky Sports News before joining the Ladbrokes News team.

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